überwinden

overcome

verb ü-ber-VIN-den Less Common

Origin: 'über' (over) + 'winden' (to wind)

Usage Note

überwinden is inseparable here, so the prefix stays attached: er überwindet die Angst ('he overcomes the fear'), never windet über. The strong forms are überwand and überwunden, and the reflexive sich überwinden means 'to force oneself' to do something.

Examples

"Sie konnte ihre Angst überwinden."

Natural Translation

She was able to overcome her fear.

Literal Translation

She could her fear overcome.

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